The Ro-Ro Experience: From Dalahican Pier to Balanacan Port and Vice Versa

Port of Lucena at Dalahican

Last year, the summer of 2013, was the first time that hubby and I got to ride a Ro-Ro vessel when we went to Oriental Mindoro. A year later, on the same month of May, we got to experience riding again a Ro-Ro vessel, this time bound to Mogpog, Marinduque.

From Manila, we rode a bus bound to Dalahican Pier in Lucena City. Our travel time took three hours and thirty minutes. It was an interesting ride, especially around the town of Sariaya, Quezon, where there are lots of ancestral houses. We arrived at DalahicanPier at about 11:45 in the afternoon. Fortunately, the line at the Montenegro vessel window was not long. After we purchased our ticket, we went to embark on the Montenegro vessel. It’s our second time to ride a Montenegro Ro-Ro vessel; the first time was when we went to Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro last year.

Montenegro Ro-Ro vessel

Our ride to Balanacan Port in Mogpog, Marinduque is very smooth. Personally, I prefer riding a vessel during summer time, as I am confident that the waves are not that strong. Montenegro has air-conditioned sitting areas and open air areas. We sat at the third floor of the vessel and enjoyed the sea breeze.

Hubby aboard Montenegro vessel

Just a few things that I’ve noticed… The comfort room is not that clean. There are no tissues available. It literally has the look and feel of a public comfort room. I also have comments as to the food available at the snack bar. There are junk foods, soft drinks and bottled water for sale. But since it’s a three-hour trip, I was expecting that there would be hot meals available. However, the only hot meals available are cup noodles, overpriced at 50 pesos each.

We were able to course through Tayabas Bay smoothly. It was almost 3:oo p.m. when I first got a glimpse of the island of Marinduque. As we come nearer, I could not help but gasp at the breathtaking sights. It felt like an island hopping tour, but on a big vessel instead of a small boat or ferry.

We arrived at the Balanacan Port at about 3:30 in the afternoon. We were not able to disembark immediately because we took the opportunity to take pictures of the picturesque Balanacan Port and the gigantic statue of “Ina ng Biglang Awa“.

The next day, we left the Balanacan Port at about 2:30 in the afternoon. This time, we rode the Starhorse Ro-Ro vessel, which is smaller than the Montenegro vessel, but definitely much conscious about the comfort of the passengers.

The Starhorse vessel which we rode looks like this one.

We rode at the topmost floor and found ourselves seated comfortably at the monoblock chairs that are slightly inclined so that it’s easier to sleep and relax. We sat on the last row, near the railings. We got to enjoy the view and that feeling as if you’re in a hammock, with the sea gently swaying the vessel.

Rodeo Bar

The comfort room of Starhorse vessel is air-conditioned. Tissue papers are readily available inside the comfort room. Near the comfort room at the second floor, you will see the Rodeo Bar, where you can buy snacks and hang out at the bar stools.

There is also an air-conditioned area inside the vessel, which looks much elegant and comfortable than the air-conditioned area of Montenegro vessel. Next time we plan to try the air-conditioned area.

Another thing that I like about Starhorse vessel is the open deck area. 🙂 The view of the blue-green waters of Tayabas Bay, the looming Mt. Banahaw, and the sunset boosted my open-deck experience.

You can see the navigators here. 🙂

Selfie

Once out at the open deck, you will feel compelled to take a selfie, with the aquamarine waters and blue sky as your background. It really is an exceptional experience to be out on open deck and to see and feel the vessel sailing smoothly, with the silhouette of the mountain outlined from afar, and the sunlight softly caressing your skin. 🙂

And from where I stood, I could not help but keep taking pictures…

 

The sun, the sky, and the sea.

Beautiful, isn’t it?

These are the views that can only be seen when aboard a vessel. An advantage of a longer journey, than a quick airplane ride. 🙂

Spiritual journey at Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Lucban, Quezon

This Sunday, I could not help but reflect on a trip to Lucban, Quezon way back in January 2010. My family and I went to Kamay ni Hesus Healing Shrine. We were then grieving at that time, and after the trip, and the early morning mass that we attended, we felt miraculously healed, somehow.

There are 310 steps on the shrine leading to the top, which depicts the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

While climbing, various life-size depiction of the passion of the Christ can be seen along the way, all 14 Station of the Cross.

Grotto

This is the depiction of the crucifixion of Christ. It was raining slightly when we went there, but the view and the colorful plants made the climb worthwhile.

This is me with my mom. 🙂

The Crucifix

The area leading to the shrine is dominated with trees, adding an almost serene atmosphere.

From the bottom, you would see the 50-foot statue at the top of the shrine, showing the resurrection of Christ.

This is me with my brother. 🙂

This is the view after 310 steps.

On the way down, you would see various depictions from the Holy Bible, such as this one, the depiction of the Last Supper.

The Last Supper

This is the depiciton of Adam and Eve at the Garden of Eden.

Adam and Eve

Tourists flock at the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Shrine most especially during Holy Week. One can easily reflect while in the vicinity of the shrine, and the 310 steps would serve as a sacrifice before finally reaching the top, where a 50-foot resurrected Jesus Christ is waiting.

When descending from the shrine, you would see the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church.

Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church

Regular and healing masses are held at the church. We attended the mass that fateful morning and there is nothing more heart-wrenching than attending a healing mass when you are grieving. I felt so touched as religious songs are played and sung by the choir. I could not remember the priest who conducted the mass but I was so overwhelmed with his sermon, with the solemnity of the place. Tears naturally fell, but I also felt at peace.

The healing shrine is located at Brgy. Tinamnan, Lucban, Quezon.

A trip to Lucban, Quezon would not be complete without tasting the famous pancit Lucban. There is a nearby canteen at the shrine and we went there to get a taste of pancit Lucban and the equally delicious brown puto. 🙂

This is me with my brother and my uncle. 🙂

Travel time to Lucban, Quezon is almost 3-4 hours coming from Manila. Come visit the shrine for a more meaningful journey.